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AHPRA and National Boards mark NAIDOC week by reaffirming their commitment to an Australia-wide National Scheme Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health strategy.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and National Boards mark NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee) week by reaffirming their commitment to an Australia-wide National Scheme1 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health strategy.

AHPRA and the National Boards have been working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector leaders and regulatory partners to get this important work started. As regulators of over 657,000 health practitioners in 14 different health professions, the opportunity to improve patient safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia’s health system is an important one.

‘This work is about strong partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities, not about AHPRA or the National Boards acting in isolation. The National Boards are working actively towards influencing cultural safety, equity and justice in healthcare for patients,’ Forum of NRAS Chairs and Medical Board of Australia Chair, Dr Joanna Flynn AM said.

A strategy group is in place which includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector leaders and representatives from accreditation entities, National Boards, AHPRA and the Chair of AHPRA’s Agency Management Committee.

‘This strategy is not a short-term solution but a long-term commitment. We are grateful for our partners and are committed to the shared vision of patient safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia’s health system as the norm, as defined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,’ Mr Michael Gorton AM, Agency Management Committee Chair said.

NAIDOC week is a celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is an important week for all Australians, with celebrations held across Australia each July. This year NAIDOC week’s theme is ‘our languages matter’ and will be celebrated from the 2-9 July.